Flags line I-65 overpass on 9/11, reminding passing traffic of sacrifices made 18 years ago

Robert McKinnis waves to honking motorists from E 200 N above I-65, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 in Lafayette. McKinnis has spent the last 8 anniversaries of 9/11 on the bridge waving to passing motorists from between his American flags.(Photo: Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier)

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Standing on the County Road 200 North overpass wearing a 9/11 memorial hat, Robert McKinniss waved to passing cars and trucks as drivers honked horns, acknowledging the Lafayette man and the row of flags hanging from the Interstate 65 overpass.

It was McKinniss' way of honoring the nearly 3,000 people killed 18 years ago.

“I figure it’s a small sacrifice on my part when people today are mourning the loss of their loved ones, their friends, and they’re missing something every day,” McKinniss said.

McKinnis first brought a single American flag on the 10-year anniversary and stood with another man on the overpass to pay tribute. Eight years later, McKinniss stands on the same overpass, with 14 flags and his grandson, Gavin Van Deventer, 17.

Several cars stopped to thank McKinniss and Van Deventer, some leaving water and food. A pair of U.S. Army recruiters left some cups.

“I try to tell people, today is not about the hate that cause the destruction on 9/11,” McKinniss said. “Today is about the love of every one of those names.”

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Robert McKinnis, right and his grandson, Gavin Van Deventer, 17, wave to honking motorists as they stand on E 200 N above I-65, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 in Lafayette. McKinnis has spent the last 8 anniversaries of 9/11 on the bridge waving to passing motorists from between his American flags.(Photo: Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier)

McKinniss plans to continue standing on the overpass on the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks and knows it is a tradition his family will continue, recalling his grandson, Gavin, telling him, “Pops, when you can’t do this anymore, I’ll be doing it for you.”

Nikos Frazier is a visual journalist for the Journal & Courier. Email him at nfrazier@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @nikosfrazier.